I get one upped all the time on the blogosphere for quality of posts — be it from guys who I agree with or vehemenently disagree with…
A great example of being one upped is Jes Golbez post over at Hockey Rants about Nikolai Khabibulin. I said in a short piece I’m not crying over Khabby’s loss… Jes goes further - comparing age and stats between Jocelyn Thibult and Khabibulin as well as some other commentary on Bill Wirtz “Throw money at the wall and see what sticks” approach to rebuilding as well as Khabbies strengths and weaknesses.
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3 Comments until now
Chicago is paying for a “playoff goaltender.” Problem is, who is going to get them to the playoffs in the first place?
This seems to be a pattern for Khabibulin. He sat out of the NHL for two seasons because he wanted more money than the Coyotes were willing to part with. He finally signed with the Lightning and with a championship under his belt, he proved (to some) that he’s worth the extra money he’s dying for. And Chicago was just crazy enough to sign him.
I think Jay Feaster was right in not wanting to match such a ludicrous offer. Re-signing Marty and Vinny is much more important. And Grahame proved he can hold down the fort in net.
I wrote my take on the signing in my blog. If anybody’s interested you can find the post at http://csbolt84hockey.blogspot.com/2005/08/rr-another-bolt-gone.html
I agree it is sad that Khabibulin did not show loyalty to a team, coach and organization that took a chance on him three years ago and brought him to the elite status he is today. I hope that Marty and Vinny do not follow in their teammate’s footsteps. Both of them were given a chance to be polished and then shine by this organization. Now that they have been brought to elite status I hope loyalty, not money is their final choice.
I will miss seeing Khabibulin in net, but I know that there are many other goalies out there who can do the same for this organization. I believe that Grahame will also step up and become the elite goalie that everyone knows is lurking just under the surface. He has been polished, now it’s his turn to shine.